SPORTS BRIEFS

Agencies

BASKETBALL

Jason Kidd arrested

NBA veteran point guard Jason Kidd, recently acquired by the New York Knicks, was arrested for suspicion of drunken driving early on Sunday after a one-car crash, New York media outlets reported. The 39-year-old 10-time NBA All-Star was released on his own recognizance, the New York Post reported. Police sergeant Michael Burns of suburban Southampton told the New York Daily News that Kidd was arrested after crashing his Cadillac Escalade into a telephone pole. He was the only person in the car and was treated for minor injuries at a local hospital near his summer home in the Hamptons, the Daily News reported. The Knicks inked Kidd last week to a deal worth about US$3 million a year. It was thought that the Knicks might want Kidd to mentor young point guard Jeremy Lin, if New York opt to keep him. Knicks coach Mike Woodson had indicated last week that the Knicks would match any offer the Asian-American star received as a restricted free agent, but on Saturday, Newsday reported that the three-year, US$25.1 million offer sheet Lin signed with Houston on Saturday had the Knicks re-thinking that plan.

BASKETBALL

Kyrie Irving breaks hand

Reigning NBA rookie of the year Kyrie Irving broke his right hand on Saturday while practicing with the Cleveland Cavaliers’ summer league squad. Irving, the first overall draft pick last year, fractured his hand after slapping a wall at the training facility. Irving was upset because he had just turned the ball over. The 20-year-old was taken to hospital where X-rays revealed the break. Irving is expected to travel back to Cleveland, Ohio, where he will be re-evaluated by team doctors. In 51 games last season, Irving averaged 18.5 points and 5.4 assists and won the league’s Rookie of the Year trophy. He recently took part in scrimmages in Las Vegas against this year’s USA Olympic men’s basketball team. The Cavaliers are hoping he will be ready in time for training camp.

CRICKET

Australia change roster

Australia have rested all-rounder Shane Watson and quick bowler Ben Hilfenhaus and dropped batsman Peter Forrest from their squad to play a three-match one-day series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates starting next month. Watson was injured, while Forrest and Hilfenhaus struggled in the recent 4-0 series loss to England, and none was included in the 15-strong party, although Watson and Hilfenhaus were named in the Twenty20 squad that will play three matches in Dubai. The most surprising inclusion in both squads was little-known 23-year-old all rounder Glenn Maxwell, who has played just 11 first class matches for Victoria since his debut last year.

CYCLING

Bonnen worried about rib

Former world champion Tom Boonen admitted on Sunday he is facing a battle to be fit for the Olympics after breaking a rib in a fall during the Tour of Poland. The Belgian, who skipped the Tour de France to concentrate on his preparations for the Olympics, suffered the injury on the fifth stage of the Polish race on Saturday and underwent a medical check-up on Sunday. The checks underlined a fracture of the sixth rib on the right side of his chest. “There’s nothing more to do than wait and see how the situation will evolve,” Boonen said. “I’m sad because my condition is good and I really don’t want to lose the chance to participate in the Olympics. On Thursday, I will have the answer that I’m waiting for.”